Decomposable container having a multiple-part cover

ABSTRACT

A decomposable container, comprising: a base; a cover; and supporting parts connected to said base and said cover, which space the cover from the base and together with the base and the cover form a container volume, wherein the cover comprises a plate-like or shell-like cover area structure and a number of edge parts, with at least one jointing element each, which are arranged, distributed on the edge of said cover area structure and overlapping the same, and positioned by means of said jointing elements and each provided with at least one functional element, wherein said at least one functional element per edge part forms a connecting element for connecting the cover to the base and the supporting parts or/and forms a positioning element, wherein said positioning element serves to position the base and the cover, stacked one on top of the other, on each other and/or to position the cover on or on top of the supporting parts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a decomposable container having amultiple-part cover.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In logistics, containers are increasingly in demand which, havingbeen unloaded following use as a transport or storage container for unitgoods or particulate goods, allow a space-saving tare transport orspace-saving container storage. Decomposable containers which, oncedecomposed, can be compacted in a space-saving way comprise a base, acover and supporting parts connecting the base to the cover which aredetachably connected to each other to form the container and, once theyhave fulfilled the respective transport or storage function, can bedetached from each other again by simple handling and, once detached,compacted such that the empty container can be transported and/or storedin a space-saving way. The components of the container arecorrespondingly provided with functional elements in order to be able toassemble the components in the container and, when decomposed, compactthem into a handy package and stack them as applicable. Typicalfunctional elements include connecting elements which serve to connectthe components of the container to each other to form the container. Thesame functional elements or additional functional elements can alsoinclude positioning elements which serve to position the individualcomponents of the decomposed container when compacted, and/or multiplecontainers stacked one on top of the other as applicable, on each other.The components of the container are mostly cost-effectively made ofplastic. The bases and covers of such containers in particular can beinjection molded parts, since injection molding allows the areasnecessary for the bases and covers to be molded at the same time asmolding the required functional elements. If, however, the containersare to be provided in different sizes, then molding tools in therequired sizes have to be provided for forming the bases and covers ofdifferent sizes. Molding tools for injection molding or other suitablemethods of original molding, however, cause significant investment costswhich become increasingly significant with the number of tools supplied.

[0005] With regard to the bases of containers, other methods morecost-effective than injection molding alone are already employed. Thus,for example, DE 202 05 412 U1 describes a container base made of footelements produced by injection molding and extruded plastic pipesconnecting the foot elements to each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the invention to also propose a cost-effectivesolution for retaining the variability in size of container covers.

[0007] The invention relates to a decomposable container comprising abase, a cover and supporting parts which extend between the base and thecover and space the cover from the base. The base, cover and supportingparts at least substantially form the container when connected, anddefine its volume.

[0008] In accordance with the invention, the cover comprises a plate orshell structure which shall be referred to in the following as a coverarea structure, and a number of edge parts which are each provided withat least one jointing element. The edge parts are distributed on theedge of the cover area structure and arranged overlapping the cover areastructure. They are fixed on the cover area structure by means of theirrespective at least one jointing element in such a way that they eachassume a defined position. Each of the edge parts comprises at least onefunctional element respectively. The at least one functional element isa connecting element which serves to connect the cover to the base andthe supporting parts, or a positioning element which serves to positionthe base and the cover, when stacked one on top of the other, on eachother and/or to position the cover, when the container is assembled, onor on top of the supporting parts. Positioning prevents the cover fromslipping, at least in a direction relative to the other or the number ofother components of the container with which the positioning element ofthe cover cooperates, in order to fulfil the function of positioning. Inits embodiment as a positioning element, the functional element cansimultaneously be the jointing element.

[0009] In preferred embodiments, the edge parts are simply arrangedlying on an outer surface of the cover when the container is assembled.In such embodiments, they correspondingly each comprise an upper partlying on the cover. The at least one jointing element for positioningthe edge part in question on the cover area structure projects at anangle from the upper part and forms a stopper element which abuts theedge of the cover area structure when the edge part in question ispositioned and in this way positions the edge part in question on thecover area structure. The at least one jointing element can for examplebe a simple pin. Preferably, the at least one jointing element comprisesan extension, measured along the edge of the cover area structure, whichis sufficient to prevent a rotational movement of the upper part overthe surface of the cover area structure when the edge part in questionis positioned, i.e. when the at least one jointing element abuts theedge of the cover area structure.

[0010] In a particularly preferred embodiment, each of the edge partscomprises at least two, preferably exactly two, jointing elements, foreach of which what has been said above with respect to the at least onejointing element applies. The at least two jointing elements can inparticular enclose, together with the upper part, a spatial inner anglein which a corner region of the cover area structure, abutting the upperpart and the at least two jointing elements, is accommodated.

[0011] If the at least one functioning element is a connecting element,it preferably forms a tensing element to which a tensing means of thecontainer is fastened, for example a lashing strap. The tensing means isfastened to the connecting element and to the base or to one of thesupporting parts and tenses the cover over one or more of the supportingparts, preferably against the base or simply against said one of thesupporting parts.

[0012] If the at least one functioning element is a positioning elementof the cover, it can in particular be a plug-in element for a plug-inconnection to a counter element of the base or can just simply form acentering element to position the base on the cover for stacking onand/or under the cover.

[0013] The at least one functioning element can simultaneously form aconnecting element and a positioning element in the sense described.Preferably, however, it only takes on one of the two functions. Evenmore preferably, each of the edge parts is provided with at least twofunctional elements each, one of which is the connecting element and theother the positioning element.

[0014] The edge parts are preferably plastic parts and can in particularbe injection molded parts.

[0015] By forming the cover from a cover area structure, preferably froma one-piece cover area structure, and a number of edge parts whichfulfil at least one particular function by means of their at least onefunctional element each, the cover area structure can be producedparticularly simply and therefore cheaply. It can in particular becontinuously molded in a strand, preferably extruded or laminated. Oncemolded in a strand, the plate or shell structure thus obtained merelyhas to be tailored to the size desired for the cover, which can beachieved using, simple and therefore cheap separating methods, forexample by cutting, sawing or nipping. A further stage of finishing canbe that of bending, by which beveling is also meant. The cover areastructure advantageously does not require any further machining beyondthe machining steps cited, except for fine-machining to be performed asapplicable, such as for example grinding, smoothing and the like.Drilling and milling are in particular not necessary for the cover areastructure tailored to size and subjected to subsequent bending asapplicable. On the other hand, the possibility is not to be excludedthat simple drilling and milling is and/or was performed on the finishedcover area structure.

[0016] The invention is particularly advantageous when covers ofdifferent sizes are necessary for containers of different sizes. Theedge parts, which are preferably produced by plastic injection molding,can be the same for each of the overall cover sizes. In order to varythe size of the cover, it is merely necessary to provide cover areastructures of different sizes.

[0017] The cover area structure is preferably a multiple-bridge platecomprising at least two covering layers and supporting bridgesconnecting the covering layers to each other. The covering layers andthe supporting bridges preferably form a latticework in thecross-section of the cover area structure. Preferred multiple-bridgeplates are for example described in DE 102 12 401, to which reference ismade in this respect. Another preferred multiple-bridge plate is the ConPearl® plate belonging to the Applicant.

[0018] For retaining variability, the base can advantageously be formedas described in DE 100 48 135 A1 and DE 202 05 412 U2 and in US10/162,971. The same applies with regard to the supporting parts whichcan in particular be formed by columns or by incorporating columns.Reference is hereby made to the cited documents with regard to the baseand supporting parts.

[0019] The base can advantageously be supplemented by a base areastructure which is simply laid onto connecting pipes or rods betweenfoot elements of the base, said pipes or rods connecting the footelements to each other with respect to the respective base. With regardto the materials and manner of production, the base area structure canbe formed like the cover area structure.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method for producing adecomposable container comprising a base, a cover and supporting partswhich space the cover and the base from each other when the container isassembled. To form the container, the base and the supporting parts areproduced separately. For producing the cover, a half-finished plate orshell is molded in a strand, preferably extruded or laminated. Thehalf-finished plate or shell is then tailored to a particular end sizenecessary for the cover, i.e. acquires said end size, by means of asuitable separating method, for example by cutting, sawing or nipping.The structure thus obtained can already form the cover area structure.Bevels or curves are formed by means of forming under bending conditionsas applicable, in a procedure following tailoring. Aside from purelyfinishing procedures, such as for example grinding, cleaning and thelike, further machining is preferably not performed on the cover areastructure. Furthermore, the edge parts are molded together with the atleast one functional element in each case in a pressing or castingmethod, preferably by injection molding. The cover area structure andthe edge parts are connected to each other by means of jointingconnections, such that the cover is obtained. Lastly, the base, thesupporting parts and the cover are connected to each other, preferablyby means of tensing means.

[0021] Other preferred embodiments are also described in the sub-claimsand combinations of the sub-claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Example embodiments of the invention will now be explained by wayof figures. Features disclosed by the example embodiments, eachindividually and in any combination of features, advantageously developsthe subjects of the claims and the embodiments described above. There isshown:

[0023]FIG. 1 a first example embodiment of a container in accordancewith the invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 a second example embodiment of a container in, accordancewith the invention;

[0025]FIG. 3 a third example embodiment of a container in accordancewith the invention;

[0026]FIG. 4 the container of the third example embodiment, compacted;

[0027]FIG. 5 a part of a container base and a number of edge parts for acontainer cover;

[0028]FIG. 6 a cover area structure and a base area structure;

[0029]FIG. 7 a base and a cover; and

[0030]FIG. 8 a modified base and a modified cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031]FIG. 1 shows a container for individually transporting or jointlytransporting large unit goods. Such a unit good, transportedindividually or in smaller units, can in particular be a bicycle,preferably a motorcycle. The container comprises a base 1, a cover 10and columnar supporting parts 9. The base 1, the cover 10 and thecolumnar supporting parts 9 surround a container volume in which theindividual unit good or number of unit goods can be accommodated. Thesupporting parts 9 rise up perpendicularly from a surface of the base 1facing the cover 10 and support the cover 10. The base 1 and the cover10 are each assembled from multiple parts made of a small number ofdifferent types of plastic parts.

[0032] The composition of the base 1 and the cover 10 may be seen froman overview of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

[0033] The base 1 consists of four foot elements 2, a number ofconnecting pipes 4 and a base area structure 6. The foot elements 2 formthe corner regions of the base 1 and are respectively connected to eachother in pairs by means of the connecting pipes 4, such that rigid basestructure is created. The base area structure 6 is a cruciform platewhich is dimensioned such that it fills in the free area between thefoot elements 2 and a closed base area is obtained. It simply lies onthe connecting pipes 4 between the foot elements 2. Each of the footelements 2 forms free-standing feet 3 which on the one hand improves thestability of the container and on the other creates space in particularbelow the container, into which for example the forks of a forklifttruck can be inserted or in which another carrying means can engage. Theconnecting pipes 4 are plugged into appropriately shaped receptacles inthe foot elements 2 and are held in a frictional lock in saidreceptacles. In addition, they can be screwed to the foot elements 2 orpreferably connected in a material lock, for example welded. The footelements 2 further form one-piece connecting elements 5 for connectingto the supporting parts 9. The connecting elements 5 rise upperpendicularly from the surface of the foot elements 2 towards thecover 10 and are shaped to fit the hollow cross-section of thesupporting parts 9, preferably such that each one of the supportingparts 9 can be plugged onto one of the connecting elements 5.

[0034] The foot elements 2 are plastic injection molded parts. The basearea structure 6 is a multiple-bridge plate, i.e. a stabilehollow-chamber lightweight plate. Extruded one-piece plastic pipes formthe supporting parts 9.

[0035] The cover 10 consists of a rectangular cover area structure 17and four edge parts 11 which lie in the corner regions of the cover areastructure 17 on its surface facing away from the base 1 and abut theedge areas of the cover area structure 17 which converge in therespective corners. The connection between the cover area structure 17and the edge parts 11 is a positive lock and to a lesser extent africtional lock, such that before the container is assembled, the edgeparts 11 lie loosely on the cover area structure 17 with a slightfrictional lock force and abut and grip its edges. The can be simplyremoved from the cover area structure by hand, without tools.

[0036] The edge parts 11 are identical to each other. They each consistof an upper part 12, two jointing elements 13 and a number of connectingelements 14 and positioning elements 15, in the example embodiment twoconnecting elements 14 and two positioning elements 15. The upper part12 exhibits a lower side which is adapted to the surface of the coverarea structure 17. Since the cover area structure 17 of the exampleembodiment is a plate structure, the lower side of the upper part 12 iscorrespondingly plane. In the example embodiment, the upper part 12 islikewise plate-like and comprises an opening which reduces the weight.The jointing elements 13 project perpendicularly from the lower side ofthe upper part 12. In the example embodiment, the jointing elements 13are edge angles of the respective upper part 12 and extend over theentire length of the respective edge of the upper part 12. In this way,a spatial square angle is obtained, adapted to the shape of the cornerregions 18 of the cover area structure 17, in which angle each one ofthe corner regions 18 of the cover area structure 17 is accommodated,tightly framed on three sides.

[0037] The connecting elements 14 each form a first functional elementof the edge parts 11. The connecting elements 14 are identical to eachother. They are shaped such that a tensing means, for example a lashingstrap, can be fastened to each of them, such that the cover 10 is tensedtowards the base 1 via the supporting parts 9 by means of the tensingmeans fastened to the connecting elements 14 and the container isthereby held together. The connecting element 14 can in particular be ahook or more preferably an eye for fastening the tensing means. Theconnecting elements 14 are each formed in a recess of the edge parts 11,such that tensing means fastened to each connecting element 14 does notprotrude beyond the edge part in question.

[0038] The positioning elements 15 serve for positioning and fixing andthus for centering another base 1 on the cover 10. Positioning andfixing is helpful when a number of assembled or compacted containers arestacked one on top of the other, wherein merely for the sake ofcompleteness it may also be mentioned that assembled and compactedcontainers can be stacked one on top of the other in any order. Thepositioning elements 15 are appendices which rise up from the upperparts 12 on their upper sides. If a base 1 is placed onto the cover 10,the positioning elements 15 are accommodated in the hollow feet 3 of thefoot elements 2. In this way, the positioning elements 15 prevent a base1 placed onto the cover 10 from being able to slip off of the cover 10.The feet 3 form the positioning counter elements which cooperate withthe positioning elements 15 for this purpose.

[0039] The edge parts 11 are plastic injection molded parts, molded asone piece.

[0040] The cover area structure 17 is a plate structure made of anextruded or laminated half-finished plastic product. In order to obtainas high a bending resistance and buckling resistance as possible, it isa double-bridge plate comprising two covering layers and supportingbridges arranged in between, connecting the covering layers. In the caseof an extrudate, the supporting bridges are linear bridges extending inthe extruding direction of the half-finished product, and preferablyforming a latticework with the covering layers. In the case of alaminate, the supporting bridges are preferably supporting cups.

[0041] As may be seen, in FIG. 6 in particular, the cover area structure17 deviates from a simple, thin rectangular plate only in that itcomprises an elongated bevel 19 on each of its linear edges whichextends as far as the adjacent, simply plane corner regions 18. Once theedge parts 11 have been pushed or placed on, the corner regions 18 arecompletely accommodated in the inner angular region of the respectiveedge part 11. The jointing elements 13 are as wide as the bevels 19 andextend he latter into the corners of the cover 10. By means of thebevels 19 and the jointing elements 13, the cover 10 is obtained as aflat box, wherein the flat, circumferentially closed side walls of saidbox, namely the bevels 19 and the jointing elements 13, point towardsthe base 1 when the container is assembled. The supporting parts 9 abutobtusely against the lower side of the cover 10, i.e. against the lowerside of the cover area structure 17, and are laterally supported on thejointing elements 13 and/or bevels 19. This support on one side, on twoside in the corner regions of the cover 10, in conjunction with thetensile force of the tensing means which tense the cover 10 against thebase 1 and in combination with the plug-in connection between thesupporting parts 9 and the connecting elements 5, would in, principlealready be sufficient to stabilize the supporting parts 9 with respectto their orientation. The jointing elements 13 would thus simultaneouslyalso be positioning elements of the cover 10. In accordance withpreferred embodiments, however, each of the edge parts 11 comprisesconnecting elements corresponding to the connecting elements 5 of thefoot elements, said connecting elements of the edge parts 11 eachprojecting from the lower side of the edge parts 11 towards theconnecting elements 5. In such preferred embodiments of the edge parts11, the columns 9 are thus also positioned on the cover 10 in a positivelock and preferably in a positive and frictional lock.

[0042] Constructing the cover 10 from a cover area structure 17 and anumber of edge parts 11 enables the cover 10 to be produced cheaply. Theadvantage in costs becomes particularly significant when covers 10 haveto be produced in different sizes, for forming containers havingdifferent base areas. The cover area structure 17 substantially takes ononly the two tasks that it bridges the required base area and serves asa support structure for the edge parts 11. The edge parts 11 which inparticular create the fastening points for the tensing means, take onthe other functions. Dividing up the functions enables the cover areastructure 17 to be adapted to different base areas cheaply, while theedge parts 11 can be produced in a constantly identical shape and size,by injection molding or another method of original molding which allowsmolding as one piece.

[0043] For producing the cover area structure 17, a simple half-finishedplate or preferably a hollow-chamber half-finished plate is extruded orlaminated in a strand. The half-finished product can advantageously bethe same for all established sizes. As applicable, the width of thestrand is set in accordance with the desired size. In a following step,the half-finished product provided in the strand is tailored to therequired size by means of a suitable separating method, for example bycutting. If the width of the strand has already been set to the desiredsize, then it is sufficient to cut the strand to length, in order toobtain the cover area structure 17 in its overall measured, i.e.largest, length and width. Using a subsequent separating method, thecorner regions 18 and the regions, still protruding plane, for the laterbevels 19 are formed. The cover area structure 17 is thus tailored tothe required size. In a following operational step, the bevels 19 arecreated by means of forming under bending conditions. Aside from anyfine-machining, such as for example edge-grinding and cleaning the coverarea structure 17, the finished cover area structure 17 is then alreadyprovided. It is possible to simply and therefore cheaply vary the sizeof the cover area structure 17.

[0044] The edge parts 11 are placed or pushed onto the cover areastructure 17 thus obtained, until they snugly abut the edges of thecorner regions 18 and the corner regions 18 are accommodated in theinner angular regions of the edge parts 11, forming a slight frictionallock. It should also be noted with respect to the cover area structure17 that the edges of its corner regions 18 always exhibit the samelength, since in particular the upper part 12 and the jointing elements13 of the edge parts 11 always have the same shape and size.

[0045] It should also be noted with respect to the base area structure 6that it is preferably produced in the same way as the cover areastructure 17, but in the desired shape for the base. Thus, with regardto its production, it differs only in the operational step of tailoringto the required size. The separating method employed for this purpose,however, is preferably the same as for the cover area structure 17.

[0046] The supporting parts 9 are likewise extruded in a strand and cutto the desired length.

[0047] Once the base 1 and the cover 10 have been formed by jointingtheir components, the supporting parts 9 are plugged onto the connectingelements 5 of the foot elements 2, such that they rise upperpendicularly from the base 1. The cover 10 is then laid onto thesupporting parts 9 rising freely up, and tensed against the base 1 bymeans of tensing means fastened to the connecting elements 14. The base1 is fitted with corresponding connecting counter elements for fasteningthe tensing means.

[0048] The container shown in FIG. 2 differs from the container in FIG.1 in that, in addition to the supporting parts 9, it comprises closedside walls 20. Furthermore, the supporting parts 9 are only arranged inthe corners of the container. The side walls 20 are formed in one pieceby a side wall ring. The side wall ring can be folded, since each two ofits side walls 20 are connected to each other in the corner regions,forming a folding joint. Two of the side walls 20, opposing each other,further comprise another folding joint in their center, such that theside wall ring as a whole can be folded flat together by means of anM-fold. The side walls 20 comprise notches on their lower sides, theshape of said notches being adapted to bevels 8 of the base areastructure 6 rising up, such that each one of the bevels 8 isaccommodated flush in a respective notch and a smooth side wall 20 isthus obtained. In this way, the side walls 20 simultaneously also holdthe base area structure 6 on the connecting pipes 4. Furthermore, theside walls 20 form a smooth transition to the jointing elements 13 andthe bevels 19.

[0049]FIG. 3 shows a container in accordance with a third exampleembodiment, which as opposed to the container in FIG. 2 does notcomprise supporting parts 9, but rather the one-piece side wall ringforming the side walls 20. Here, the side walls fully take on thefunction of supporting parts. The container in FIG. 3 otherwisecorresponds to the container in FIG. 2.

[0050]FIG. 4 shows the container of the third example embodiment,compacted. The side walls 20 are folded together and accommodated in ahollow space between the base 1 and the cover 10. The connectingelements 5 and/or the bevels 8 of the base 1 prevent the side walls 20from slipping out between the base 1 and the cover 10. Due to its flatbox shape, in particular due to its jointing elements 13, the cover 10is positioned on the base 1 by overlapping the jointing elements 13 andthe connecting elements 5. Here, too, the jointing elements 13 againform positioning elements of the cover 10. As applicable, the tensingmeans which ensure that the container components are held together whenthe container is assembled can be used to tie the compacted container.As a result, a particularly flat and thus space-saving container iscreated for tare transport and/or storage. In particular, a number ofsuch compacted containers can be stacked one on top of the other to savespace, wherein the base 1 resting on the cover 10 is secured againstslipping off of the cover 10 by means of the feet 3 acting aspositioning elements in the stack by surrounding the positioningelements 15 of the cover 10 on at least two sides, forming a cornerregion.

[0051]FIG. 8 shows a minimal cover 10′ formed from the edge parts 11 anda modified cover area structure 17′ and a minimal base 1′ formed bymeans of the foot elements 2. The edge parts 11 and the foot elements 2correspond in their shape and size to the edge parts 11 and footelements 2 of the other example embodiments. The cover area structure17′ differs from the cover area structure 17 of the other exampleembodiments only in that it does not comprise the bevels 8 of the largercover area structures 17. Rather, the edge elements 11 abut each otherdirectly via their jointing elements 13. The foot elements 2 likewiseabut each other directly. The foot elements 2 can be connected to eachother in a material lock, for example by means of a welded connection.Alternatively or additionally, short connecting pipes 4—connectingbutts, so to speak—can be plugged into the receptacles of the footelements 2. As the minimal base 1′ and minimal cover 10′ show, it isparticularly advantageous if the length and width of the edge parts 11each correspond to the length and width of the foot elements 2. In FIG.8, preferred length and width dimensions are given in millimeters by wayof example.

[0052] In the foregoing description, preferred embodiments of theinvention have been presented for the purpose of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications orvariations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodimentswere chosen and described to provide the best illustration of theprincipals of the invention and its practical application, and to enableone of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations arewithin the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claimswhen interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly,legally, and equitably entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A decomposable container, comprising: a) a base;b) a cover; c) and supporting parts connected to said base and saidcover, which space the cover from the base and together with the baseand the cover form a container volume, d) wherein the cover comprises aplate-like or shell-like cover area structure and a number of edgeparts, with at least one jointing element each, which are arranged,distributed on the edge of said cover area structure and overlapping thesame, and positioned by means of said jointing elements and eachprovided with at least one functional element, wherein said at least onefunctional element per edge part d1) forms a connecting element forconnecting the cover to the base and the supporting parts or/and d2)forms a positioning element, wherein said positioning element serves toposition the base and the cover, stacked one on top of the other, oneach other and/or to position the cover on or on top of the supportingparts.
 2. The decomposable container as set forth in claim 1, whereineach of said edge parts comprises an upper part from which the at leastone jointing element projects at an angle, and in that the respectiveedge part, together with its upper part, lies on the cover areastructure and abuts the edge of the cover area structure via its atleast one jointing element and is thus positioned on the cover areastructure.
 3. The decomposable container as set forth in the precedingclaim, wherein each of the edge parts is provided with at least twojointing elements projecting at an angle from the upper part, saidjointing elements abutting two edges of the cover area structure whichpoint at an angle to each other, and in that the respective edge part isthus positioned on the cover area structure.
 4. The decomposablecontainer as set forth in the preceding claim, wherein the upper partand the at least two jointing elements point at an angle to each otherin their respective pairs and together form a spatial inner angle inwhich a corner region of the cover area structure is accommodated. 5.The decomposable container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the edgeparts, each lie on a surface of the cover area structure facing awayfrom the base and each abut at least one edge area of the cover areastructure.
 6. The decomposable container as set forth in the precedingclaim, wherein the edge parts each abut at least two edge areas of thecover area structure pointing at an angle to each other.
 7. Thedecomposable container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at leastone functional element formed as a connecting element is a tensingelement to which a tensing means is fastened which tenses the coveragainst the base via at least one of the supporting parts or is directlyfastened, tensing, to said at least one of the supporting parts.
 8. Thedecomposable container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at leastone functional element formed as a positioning element projects from therespective edge part in order to protrude into a counter element of abase, for stacking the base on the cover.
 9. The decomposable containeras set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one functional elementformed as a positioning element is the at least one jointing element.10. The decomposable container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the edgeparts are injection molded parts.
 11. The decomposable container as setforth in claim 1, wherein the edge parts are molded from plastic. 12.The decomposable container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the coverarea structure is a multiple-bridge plate or shell comprising at leasttwo covering layers and supporting bridges arranged between the coveringlayers and connected to the covering layers.
 13. The decomposablecontainer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cover area structure isformed from a half-finished plate or shell molded in a strand andtailored to the size required for the cover by means of a separatingmethod.
 14. The decomposable container as set forth in claim 13, whereinsaid half-finished plate or shell is an extrudate or laminate.
 15. Thedecomposable container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cover areastructure is formed from a half-finished plate or shell molded in astrand, tailored to the size required for the cover by means of aseparating method and provided with bevels by forming under bendingconditions.
 16. The decomposable container as set forth in claim 15,wherein said half-finished plate or shell is an extrudate or laminate.17. The decomposable container as set forth in claim 1, wherein thecover area structure is molded as one piece in a method of originalmolding.
 18. The decomposable container as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe cover area structure is molded from plastic.
 19. The decomposablecontainer as set forth in claim 1, wherein the base comprises a numberof foot elements connected to each other by means of a jointingconnection.
 20. The decomposable container as set forth in the precedingclaim, wherein the foot elements each comprise at least onefree-standing foot.
 21. The decomposable container as set forth in claim19, wherein the base further comprises connecting pipes or rods whichconnect the foot elements to each other.
 22. The decomposable containeras set forth in claim 19, wherein the foot elements are each providedwith at least one functional element which forms a counter element tothe at least one functional element of the cover.
 23. The decomposablecontainer as set forth in claim 19, wherein the number of foot elementscorresponds to the number of edge parts.
 24. The decomposable containeras set forth in claim 19, wherein the foot elements each exhibit alength and width which correspond to the length and width of the edgeparts.